I saw him walking with the doctor the other day." This conversation describes pretty accurately the impression made by Garfield upon his classmates, and by those in other classes who became acquainted with him.

At first they were disposed to laugh at the tall, awkward young man and his manners, but soon his real ability, and his cordial, social ways won upon all, and he was installed as a favorite.
The boys began to call him Old Gar, and regarded him with friendship and increasing respect, as he grew and developed intellectually, and they began to see what manner of man he was.
Perhaps the readiest way for a collegian to make an impression upon his associates is to show a decided talent for oratory.

They soon discovered at Williams that Garfield had peculiar gifts in this way.

His speaking at clubs, and before the church of his communion in Hiram, had been for him a valuable training.

He joined a society, and soon had an opportunity of showing that he was a ready and forcible speaker.
One day there came startling news to the college.